supported; supporting; supports
1
: to endure bravely or quietly : bear
2
a(1)
: to promote the interests or cause of
(2)
: to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate
supports fair play
(3)
: to argue or vote for
supported the motion to lower taxes
c
: to provide with substantiation : corroborate
support an alibi
3
a
: to pay the costs of : maintain
support a family
b
: to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of
the island could probably support three—
A. B. C. Whipple
A. B. C. Whipplesupport a habit
4
a
: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for
b
: to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans
also
: to maintain the price of by purchases or loans
5
: to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort
6
: to keep (something) going
1
a
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
b
: assistance provided by a company to users of its products
customer support
2
: one that supports
—often used attributively
a support staff
3
: sufficient strength in a suit bid by one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit
Synonyms
Examples of support in a Sentence
Verb
I completely support your decision to stay.
She no longer supports the war.
The senator says that he supports the proposed legislation.
Which presidential candidate do you support?
The study is supported by the American Medical Association.
The country's citizens were asked to support the war effort.
Her friends supported her by signing her petition.
The charity supports needy families.
Bombers were called in to support the ground troops.
The planet's atmosphere cannot support human life.
Noun
The team gets a lot of support from its fans.
I'd like to thank my parents for all of their love and support over the years.
He depended on his wife for emotional support.
He applied for financial support from the state.
the company's friendly support staff
Inspectors found that some of the bridge's supports were weak.
She used my arm as a support and limped to the chair.
These sneakers are designed to give your feet extra support.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebPaul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
Video How classrooms are changing to support neurodivergent students
Mesquite District Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera said the pandemic also put additional stress on educators.
—Mireya Villarreal, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2023
There’s a really robust team that supports Peter, and all his ideas and ambitions are very, very carefully fact checked.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2023
Apple just announced iPhones will officially support the RCS standard next year.
—WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023
The apology and walk-back, however, did little to calm the fury over Wenner’s original comments, with few, if any, artists or friends speaking out publicly to support him.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2023
In April 2023, his family came out to support him at the release party for his debut album A New Earth.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Offering a variety of services to support industry members emotionally and financially, MPTF is currently providing financial assistance at $500,000 per week to crew members affected by the lack of work.
—Caroline Brew, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
The California Coastal Commission has long supported replenishment efforts, but generally opposed the construction of hardened structures such as rock revetments and groins to keep the sand in place.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2023
Around the world: Protests showing support for Israelis and Palestinians are growing calls for a cease-fire.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
Studies have shown that support from the trans community, as well as family and friends, can greatly improve mental health outcomes for transgender people and could be a key factor in one's resilience.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2023
But both polls show Trump firmly leading the field with support from more than 40% of those surveyed.
—Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023
Images: Zuma Press/AFP/Getty Images Composite: Mark Kelly The Biden administration faces a wave of internal dissent against its support of Israel.
—Elliott Abrams, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2023
The Carter family continues to ask for privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
Shani also mentioned that the skates also provide safe ankle support, and the inner boot is super breathable.
—Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
After news of her lawsuit broke, several artists — including a couple former Danity Kane members — publicly expressed their support for Cassie.
—Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
Verb
Anymore Over the subsequent decades, the United States seemed to fritter away both the goodwill needed to support such efforts and the means to carry them out.
—Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
Video How classrooms are changing to support neurodivergent students
Mesquite District Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera said the pandemic also put additional stress on educators.
—Mireya Villarreal, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2023
There’s a really robust team that supports Peter, and all his ideas and ambitions are very, very carefully fact checked.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2023
Apple just announced iPhones will officially support the RCS standard next year.
—WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023
The apology and walk-back, however, did little to calm the fury over Wenner’s original comments, with few, if any, artists or friends speaking out publicly to support him.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2023
In April 2023, his family came out to support him at the release party for his debut album A New Earth.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Offering a variety of services to support industry members emotionally and financially, MPTF is currently providing financial assistance at $500,000 per week to crew members affected by the lack of work.
—Caroline Brew, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
The California Coastal Commission has long supported replenishment efforts, but generally opposed the construction of hardened structures such as rock revetments and groins to keep the sand in place.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023
Noun
Following news of the suit, Aubrey O’Day — the former lead singer of girl group Danity Kane who was signed to Bad Boy Records by Combs — showed her support for the singer.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2023
Around the world: Protests showing support for Israelis and Palestinians are growing calls for a cease-fire.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
Studies have shown that support from the trans community, as well as family and friends, can greatly improve mental health outcomes for transgender people and could be a key factor in one's resilience.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2023
But both polls show Trump firmly leading the field with support from more than 40% of those surveyed.
—Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023
Images: Zuma Press/AFP/Getty Images Composite: Mark Kelly The Biden administration faces a wave of internal dissent against its support of Israel.
—Elliott Abrams, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2023
The Carter family continues to ask for privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
Shani also mentioned that the skates also provide safe ankle support, and the inner boot is super breathable.
—Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
After news of her lawsuit broke, several artists — including a couple former Danity Kane members — publicly expressed their support for Cassie.
—Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'support.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of support was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing support
Dictionary Entries Near support
Cite this Entry
“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/support. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
support
1 of 2 verb
sup·port
sə-ˈpō(ə)rt 
-ˈpȯ(ə)rt
1
: to endure bravely or quietly : bear
2
a
: to promote the interests or cause of
b
: to uphold or defend as true or right : advocate
supports fair play
c
: to argue or vote for
support a candidate
d
: assist entry 1, help
bombers supported the ground troops
e
: to provide evidence for : verify
they cannot support the claim
3
: to pay the costs of : maintain
supports a large family
4
a
: to hold up or in position or serve as a foundation or prop for
posts support the porch roof
b
: to keep up the price of (as milk or wheat) by buying large amounts to store at a certain price
5
: to keep something going : sustain
not enough air to support life
support
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
b
: assistance provided by a company to users of its products
customer support
2
: someone or something that supports
Medical Definition
support
1 of 2 transitive verb
sup·port
sə-ˈpō(ə)rt, -ˈpȯ(ə)rt
1
: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for
2
: to maintain in condition, action, or existence
support respiration
support life
support
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
respiratory support
2
Legal Definition
support
1 of 2 transitive verb
sup·port
1
a
: to promote the interests or cause of
b
: to uphold or defend as valid or right
c
: to argue or vote for
2
: to provide with substantiation or corroboration
support an alibi
3
: to provide with the means of livelihood (as housing, food, or clothing) especially in accordance with an agreement or court order
4
: to hold up or in position : maintain the physical integrity of
the right to have one's land supported by the underlying land
support
2 of 2 noun1
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
pledged the candidate their support
2
: a means of obtaining the necessities of life (as food, shelter, and clothing) : a source of livelihood especially in the form of alimony or child support
3
: something that provides support
More from Merriam-Webster on support
Nglish: Translation of support for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of support for Arabic Speakers
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